medal, commemorative

ON DISPLAY

human history

The Galathea Medal 1950-52 (Galatheamedaillen)(King Frederik IX) presented to Gilbert Archey, Director of Auckland War Memorial Museum.

This medal is the last of nine medals mounted on a presentation bar, the others being:

1. OBE (mil.)

2. British War Medal 1914-20

3. Victory Medal 1914-19

4. War Medal 1939-45 (ribbon only)

5. New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45

6. George V Silver Jubilee Medal 1935

7. Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953

8.New Zealand Territorial Service Medal (12 years)

9.The Galathea Medal 1950-52

Accession number: 2024.46.3.9 Last Update: 3 Oct 2025

Other Name

The Galathea Medal 1950-52 (Galatheamedaillen)(King Frederik IX) (descriptive name)

Gilbert Edward Archey (associated name)

Place

Denmark

Accession Number

2024.46.3.9

Accession Date

18 Dec 2024

Department

Social History

Display Room

Pou Maumahara

Associated Notes

Presented for participation in or support of the third Danish global deep sea expedition of 1950-52. Archey enabled the participation of one of his museum staff. Archey had previous connections with Danish marine science including conference administration and 1915 field work alongside Dr Theo Mortensen who spent months surveying and collecting marine life around the coasts of Australia.

The description of the 1950-52 expedition below comes from 'Danish Orders & Medals' by Captain PJ Jorgensen (Copenhagen, 1964):

'In 1950 the corvette "Galathea" was sent on "The Danish Deep Sea Expedition

Round the World 1950-52". It task was to concentrate on the animal

life of the sea bed and particularly to explore the extreme depths of the ocean

including the 10.000 meter deep trenches, which at that time were still no man's

land to the scientists.'

medal, commemorative

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